ALTUS – The City of Altus, home to Altus Air Force Base, has been named a ‘Great American Defense Community’ by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) and USAA.
The Great American Defense Communities program, now in its sixth year, recognizes the role that communities and regions with active installations in the U.S. play in supporting service members and military families. Communities are chosen through a competitive nomination process based on community building and integration, support and collaboration, and educational and employment opportunities, and family support – and this year, diversity and inclusion initiatives and COVID-19 programs were taken into consideration.
“I am proud of the community,” said Col. Matthew Leard, commander of the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. “The vision has always been a place where you can come back to throughout your career, where your spouse can find good meaningful employment, your kids can get a good education, where you can be professionally developed and personally fulfilled in a community. That’s what we have here in Altus Oklahoma.”
“It shows that we are doing our job, there is a culture here of working with our military base. It has been going on since the late 50’s,” said Mayor Jack Smiley. “It is something we work at, so it is nice to be recognized for the work. The relationship between the city and the base is ultra-important; they are a part of our lives.”
“It is with great pleasure and pride to be recognized by the Association of Defense Communities as one of the top five ‘Great American Defense Communities’ in the nation for 2021,” said Dr. Joe Leverett, CEO, Altus Chamber of Commerce.
“The community and members of the Altus Military Affairs Committee (MAC) have worked steadily and tenaciously year after year to exemplify the best Air Force base and community relationship in the U.S. Air Force,” Leverett said. “Members of the MAC and community genuinely appreciate the sacrifice of the men and women who serve our Air Force at Altus. It is our hope and desire that every airman feels at home during their brief stay with us in southwest Oklahoma. The importance of such a critical national asset and the synergy of KC-135, C-17 and KC-46 training at Altus AFB is not taken lightly or for granted by the community and we look forward to many years of teamwork between the base and the community.”
“Just as our military personnel stand behind our country, Altus stands firmly behind the men and women in uniform and this honor is certainly well deserved,” said Congressman Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, who joined U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe and James Lankford in announcing the award.
ADC is the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues and installation management to enhance knowledge, information sharing and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions, and affiliated industry organization as members, ADC represents every major defense community/state in the nation.